Kenya seeks help to decongest Dadaab

June 20, 2008 12:00 am

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By Capital FM, NAIROBI, June 20 – The government is seeking the international community’s assistance to deal with congestion at the Dadaab Refugee camp, which has been worsened by an upsurge of violence in Somalia.

During celebrations to mark World Refugee Day on Friday, Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang hinted that the government is considering creating more camps in the area, besides relocating some refugees to the Kakuma camp.

The minister alluded: “While expansion of the existing camps or creation of a fourth camp at Dadaab is an open option, viewed against the urgency of the need for decongestion and the process of negotiations involved, we believe the most viable option is relocation.”

In his response, United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres pledged that he would urge the international community to commit resources towards dealing with the problem.

“We have had very interesting discussions with the government and with the host community, on one side creating conditions for expansion of the area and eventually for the creation of a new camp but at the same time engage the international community in a meaningful program of support to the host community,” he stated.

Guterres was however categorical that a lasting solution for the political instability in Somalia is inevitable as a permanent resolution to the problem.

“It is very important that resources are found for an international force to stabilise the country. We also need all international actors to act positively; it is very important that the only agenda in the intervention be ‘Somali peace’. It is not possible to have different and contradictory agendas.”

Guterres, who had first hand experience with the refugees at Dadaab and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Naivasha since he arrived early this week, also held talks with President Mwai Kibaki on Friday.

During the meeting, he expressed his solidarity with the Government in its efforts to resettle the IDPs and enable them resume their normal lives.

Kenyans meanwhile were urged to be more tolerant of refugees and immigrants residing in the country.